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Feds issue rules for 'navigators' who will help consumers buy health insurance

As the Obama administration published rules for "navigators," who will be hired in every state to help consumers shop in new insurance marketplaces, news outlets examine how states are setting up those marketplaces and the impact on consumers.

5 Apr 2013

Burden of care for many immigrants untouched by health law's Medicaid expansion

Also in the news, media outlets offer news and analysis regarding Medicaid expansion plans and debates in Florida, Pennsylvania and Missouri.

5 Apr 2013

Diaverum acquires four clinics in Hamburg, Germany

Diaverum, one of the world's leading, product-independent renal care providers, has announced the major acquisition of the four clinics that make up the Alte Teichweg centre in Hamburg, Germany.

4 Apr 2013

First Edition: April 4, 2013

Kaiser Health News staff writer Julie Appleby, working in collaboration with USA Today, reports: "It's not just sore throats and flu shots anymore. Walgreens today became the first retail store chain to expand its health care services to include diagnosing and treating patients for chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes and high cholesterol. The move is the retail industry's boldest push yet into an area long controlled by physicians, and comes amid continuing concerns about health care costs and a potential shortage of primary care doctors" (Appleby, 4/4).

4 Apr 2013

ACE Group introduces new insurance for life science companies in Continental Europe

ACE Group today announced the launch of a new insurance proposition covering global life science risks for companies in Continental Europe as part of its strategy to further build its casualty offering for businesses in the region.

4 Apr 2013

New study examines consumer-directed health plans

Consumer-directed health plans offer low premiums but high deductibles on the premise that patients who are faced with deductibles of $1,000 or more for individual coverage (or twice that for family coverage) will shop around for the best price for the health care.

4 Apr 2013

Some groups urge HHS to reverse delay on small-business insurance program

The Obama administration announced Monday that it will delay -- until 2015 -- offering a choice of plans within health insurance marketplaces specifically for small businesses.

4 Apr 2013

Rate boost to Medicare Advantage plans powers insurers' stock surge

Health insurers led gains on Wall Street Tuesday after the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reversed plans to make payment cuts to Medicare Advantage plans and instead offered a 3.3 percent increase.

4 Apr 2013

Health law's insurance subsidies hold possible tax risk

The Associated Press reports on how people who take advantage of federal subsidies to buy insurance could owe taxes if they don't accurately forecast their income.

4 Apr 2013

Fight brews over abortion coverage in Va.'s health insurance exchange

Abortion coverage could be banned in Virginia's health insurance exchange if an amendment pushed by Gov. Bob McDonnell wins legislative approval. The bill faces an uncertain outcome in the state Senate.

4 Apr 2013

First Edition: April 3, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about how the latest round of payment rates for private Medicare plans led to stock market gains for insurers.

3 Apr 2013

UAB School of Nursing offers health care services in rural communities

"If individuals, families, and communities don't have access, then they don't have the opportunity for a better life," asserts University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing Dean Doreen C. Harper, PhD, RN, FAAN.

3 Apr 2013

Vermont first in parade of states to publish premium costs

The state is the first to publish proposed 2014 individual health insurance rates under the federal health law.

3 Apr 2013

Viewpoints: Actuaries report validates critics' skepticism of law; Campaign to repeal medical devices tax is paying off

The non-partisan Society of Actuaries last week said that because of Obamacare, insurers could pay an average of 32% more for medical claims. Those costs will be passed onto those who buy insurance on the individual market in the form of dramatically higher premiums.

3 Apr 2013

Roundup: Feds cut N.Y. Medicaid payments $1.2B; 93,000 fewer kids enroll in CHIP in Pa.; W. Va. lawmakers promise miners benefits

Federal authorities have dramatically lowered the amount that New York state can claim from the federal government for certain medical services, costing the state an estimated $1.2 billion.

3 Apr 2013

Indiana House committee approves alternative option for Medicaid expansion

The legislation would use the state's Healthy Indiana Plan to add coverage for 400,000 low-income residents.

3 Apr 2013

Administration delays health law provision for small business insurance market

The Small Business Health Options Program, or SHOP, would have provided a variety of insurance options for small firms. When the law takes effect next year in states with federally run exchanges, these businesses will be able to offer workers a single plan instead.

3 Apr 2013